Marcum Showdown Troller Problem

[pelter4]

  Ok, here's the deal. I received a Showdown as a Christmas gift and I loved it until today. It worked great until I was ready to shut down and it wouldn't turn off. After holding the button down, instead of turning off, it started clicking loudly. I had to remove the batteries to shut it up and power down.I replaced the batteries ,although it no longer clicks, it turns on and still won't turn off.
  I did an internet search and this appears to be an on going problem with the Showdown, which is just so much b.s. Why hasn't Marcum 'fixed' the problem before selling defective units!
  Anyhow, my wife bought it from Amazon and she's still within the return timetable but I really want to keep it IF it's not a nightmare getting decent service from Marcum. I hear they don't like answering there phones? Also, since its in the middle of ice season...good service would be to immediately email me an overnight return label and for Marcum to immediately overnight me a new unit.
  Also, it hasn't been abused in anyway, gotten wet, etc.
  Along with venting, I guess my main question is feedback from anyone who has dealt with Marcums customer service before I make the phone call and be put on perpetual hold? Thanks....

[n.w. holedigger]

i think I commented on a similar post a while back.... bought a new ice troller used it two times unit froze up on me wouldn't turn off or do anything, Marcum sent me a new one got it in a few days, the second one did the same thing within a week. called Marcum and was not as pleasant on the second go round Marcum said to send this one in and they would fix or replace it because this was already a replacement unit. had to fish perch assault with no electronics and was very angry to put it mildly.  Marcum was not near as helpful on the third unit, but they ended up sending me another new unit in the package wich I promptly took back to the place I bought it for full refund,  I feel sorry for people who bought showdowns expecting a reliable fish finder, some might work good now but its just a matter of time. do yourself a huge favor... buy a vexilar!!!!!!!!

[theron86]

All I can say is Lowrance!

[pelter4]

i think I commented on a similar post a while back.... bought a new ice troller used it two times unit froze up on me wouldn't turn off or do anything, Marcum sent me a new one got it in a few days, the second one did the same thing within a week. called Marcum and was not as pleasant on the second go round Marcum said to send this one in and they would fix or replace it because this was already a replacement unit. had to fish perch assault with no electronics and was very angry to put it mildly.  Marcum was not near as helpful on the third unit, but they ended up sending me another new unit in the package wich I promptly took back to the place I bought it for full refund,  I feel sorry for people who bought showdowns expecting a reliable fish finder, some might work good now but its just a matter of time. do yourself a huge favor... buy a vexilar!!!!!!!!

  Doesn't sound to encouraging dealing with Marcum.  I knew very little about the Showdown but it was a gift and I had no input on its purchase. I really do like it though..probably has tripled my perch catches..BUT DAMN..used less than a month and already malfunctioning?

[n.w. holedigger]

  Doesn't sound to encouraging dealing with Marcum.  I knew very little about the Showdown but it was a gift and I had no input on its purchase. I really do like it though..probably has tripled my perch catches..BUT DAMN..used less than a month and already malfunctioning?

sound like you are one of those guys who figured out electronics help your success rate by a whole bunch,,now your hooked like the rest of us! I really did like the showdown when it worked but crap when theres a problem with some thing  they should figure it out or take it off the market, not to thrash Marcum but makes me a little nervous about the rest of there products. my suggestion let them replace it and if it keeps happening let them keep replacing it until they figure out why they quit working. I'm glad you don't have a bunch of cash tied up in in it. till then happy fishing.

[pelter4]

UPDATE..I just got off the phone with Marcum and what a bunch of crap!! The best he could do for me was send a shipping label (2-3 days to get), return unit 2-3 days to receive), fix unit (five days), return unit (2-3 days to get back) The time line is his and its in business days so I'm looking at 3-4 weeks to get service! Plus he said they are out of stock of new units so they have no option but to fix my defective one! I also told him I did an internet search on this problem and told him it appears to be wide spread. He told me it was just a couple pissed off customers making a lot of noise. Well he has one more pissed of customer on the list making noise!
I think we can get our money back from Amazon still (fingers crossed). DON'T BUY MARCUM!!!!!

[missoulafish]

WOW!! That is a miserable resolution to offer you:(

[gblomquist]

I thought I would just give my own personal report but sorry about your frustration pelter.  That would suck and I'd be pissed off too. 

I have the Showdown 5.6 (not the dual beam) larger unit and I have actually had really good luck with mine.  I had a problem with the transducer not working on my second season, sent it in and it has been working perfect since, going on something like my 4th or 5th year now.  It did take awhile to get the unit back from Marcum.   I still have occasional blown fuses when connecting the battery to the unit after charging but if I disconnect the negative first and then hook them up it's fine.

[n.w. holedigger]

UPDATE..I just got off the phone with Marcum and what a bunch of crap!! The best he could do for me was send a shipping label (2-3 days to get), return unit 2-3 days to receive), fix unit (five days), return unit (2-3 days to get back) The time line is his and its in business days so I'm looking at 3-4 weeks to get service! Plus he said they are out of stock of new units so they have no option but to fix my defective one! I also told him I did an internet search on this problem and told him it appears to be wide spread. He told me it was just a couple pissed off customers making a lot of noise. Well he has one more pissed of customer on the list making noise!
I think we can get our money back from Amazon still (fingers crossed). DON'T BUY MARCUM!!!!!

I feel for you buddy that's the same thing that happened to me on my second showdown, bought mine at snappys and glad I did, they had the clout to send the piece of junk back. glad you don't have to depend on it for a tourney or something, good luck happy fishing.......p.s.wife and I each have  vexilars now no issues of any kind period for 3 seasons.